About this role
Job summary
We are seeking two enthusiastic, motivated, and experienced Allied Health Professionals to join our Adult Autism Service within Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust on a 6-month fixed-term contract, funded through additional service investment.
This is an exciting opportunity for clinicians with a passion for neurodevelopmental services to contribute to the assessment and support of adults referred for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnostic pathways. The post holder will play a key role within the multidisciplinary team, undertaking specialist assessments, contributing to formulation and diagnostic decision-making, and supporting service users throughout their diagnostic journey.
As a Band 7 practitioner, you will be expected to work with a high degree of autonomy within your professional scope of practice, contributing specialist knowledge, service development initiatives, and participating in service evaluation and quality improvement projects.
You will demonstrate strong assessment, formulation, communication, and multidisciplinary working skills, alongside a commitment to developing expertise in adult autism assessment and support.
This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop specialist clinical skills within a growing and innovative service dedicated to improving outcomes for autistic adults.
Main duties of the job
To provide specialised and comprehensive Autism assessment for service users who may have needs including complex physical, psychological and sensory impairment, potentially presenting with distress, mental health issues and/or behaviours that challenge.
To work flexibly as needed to support the multi-disciplinary team.
To educate and advise service users, their families and carers, and staff teams about the person's difficulties and needs, and work collaboratively to develop suitable management plans.
To be proactive in personal professional development.
To provide support and supervision to more junior colleagues, assistants and students.
To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.
To maintain clinical records as an autonomous practitioner.
The job description and person specification are an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The job holder will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by their line manager.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an on-going basis in accordance with the changing needs of the Service or Organisation.
About us
There's a place for you at CNWL.We're passionate about delivering first-class patient-centred, safe and effective care, whether it is in a hospital setting, in a community clinic or in the patient's own home. Patients are at the heart of everything we do.Providingtop quality caredepends on our ability to employ the best people.We're always looking torecruit outstanding peoplewho will go the extra mile to support our patients, colleagues, teams and the Trust. With every new employee we're hoping to find our future leaders and we'll support our staff by providing opportunities to develop your career.With adiverse culture and equally diverse range of opportunities across mental health, community services, addictions, eating disorders, learning disabilities and more - whatever stage of your career you're at, there's always a place for you at CNWL.
Job description Job responsibilities
To work as a qualified band 7 Clinical/Counselling Psychologist, Nurse or Allied Health Professional within the multidisciplinary Autism Diagnostic Service
To be an autonomous practitioner assessing service users, defining needs in relation to and carrying out autism assessments, and maintaining clinical records.
To be practice guided and supported by senior staff within the clinical area when necessary
To be responsible for own continuous professional development; build on previous experience enabling further development of clinical, administrative and leadership competencies.
To supervise and support more junior colleagues.
To be involved in service audit projects.
To attend relevant departmental meetings and in-service training opportunities
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications Essential
A professional qualification in Clinical/Counselling Psychology/Occupational Therapy/Speech and Language Therapy/Nursing Registration to practice in the UK with the HCPC/NMC in accordance with professional background
Desirable
Further qualifications relevant to autism assessment Training in Sensory Integration techniques
Experience Essential
Experience of working with autistic people Experience of working in a multi professional team. Experience of working within a multi-agency environment. Experience of working in a multi cultural context Experience of participating in audit / research projects
Desirable
Experience of autism assessment using standardised tools, i.e. ADI/ADOS Experience of offering post diagnostic support to autistic adults Experience of teaching/training others
Skills, Knowledge and abilities: Essential
Highly developed interpersonal skills enabling therapeutic alliances to be developed & maintained with service users who have multiple & complex needs Basic word processing and IT skills Ability to work autonomously, on own initiative and under pressure to meet deadlines; & to make and action decisions independently within agreed time frames Skills in producing timely, accurate and informative reports and notes Excellent organisational skills to manage the demands of the role, including prioritisation of workload, delegation skills
Desirable
Skills in developing and delivering training Skills in supervising more junior members of staff
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Address The Kingswood Center
134 honeypot lane
Brent
NW9 9QY
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/work (Opens in a new tab)